Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Sync your Plastic with Airline for a discount

I visited Virgins Johannesburg Clubhouse Upper Class lounge and I would strongly advise you to arrive early so you can relax at this great lounge capturing the spirit of Africa with earthy tones. Freshen up with a shower and then recline in a comfy chair while attentive staff bring you your choice of a freshly prepared meal, Airside. Though, the yummiest food I’ve had was in the Lufthansa first Class lounge, Frankfurt.  My UpperClass reservation provided me with a free chauffeur driven car to Tambo International Airport. Virgin has a unique Drive Thru check in service. Your chauffeur will check you in and you can head straight to the Clubhouse.

Back in the US I’m into social media so I got an offer today, to Sync my Cr. Card to get 10% back on Main Cabin seats on Virgin America.

Upper Class Cabin

Sync your eligible American Express Card with Twitter and Tweet #AmexVirginAmer to automatically load this special offer to your synced Card. Then use that same Card to book Virgin America Main Cabin tickets online through 3/31/12 and receive 10% of your purchase back as a statement credit. Enrollment is limited to one statement credit per Card member.

I’m not happy that Virgin miles have an expiry date. I know that many other airlines do this now and I wrote about United doing this, but I’m glad that we will now get to use Virgin miles on flights across the U.S. in Virgin America’s planes.

Previously we have been able to use miles for free Virgin Atlantic flights, upgrades, hotel stays and more. You can now use your Flying Club miles for domestic travel on Virgin America across the USA! This means that you can travel in the US to over 18 destinations redeeming miles for free travel. Miles Plus Money fares should still be an option when they have a sale on. You can get a round-trip on Virgin America from New York to Los Angeles starts at just 25,000 miles ( plus taxes and fees). And by earning miles with each Virgin Atlantic round-trip you take, you'll be able to redeem that Virgin America flight in no time. For example, a round-trip from New York to London in Economy earns you 3,458 miles.

Virgin America is one of the newest US domestic airlines and is on a mission “to make flying good again”, with topnotch service, food and WiFi. Their lounges are called Clubhouses because they feel like a private members club and are private to Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members to relax at the airport.

You earn Elite tier points, to propel you from Flying Club Red, to Silver, up to Gold.  Flying Club Gold is the top tier, best of the best. Gold members earn an extra 50% of base flown miles for every flight, access to Clubhouses, Upper Class Check in and enjoy so many more benefits.

So it looks like I can use the miles before they expire. I’m looking forward to returning to B.C. Canada ! Virgin will operate Vancouver flights for the summer starting on 24th May 2012 it will operate four times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sun but will not operate in the winter.